Campus tension: uni services are facing the axe

STUDENTS are worried that more services at universities could be
lost if changes to voluntary student unionism are not implemented
by the end of this year.

Angus McFarland, the president of the National Union of
Students, said campus presidents had detailed the services that
would have to go, or be cut back, if the changes were not made.

They include the closure of the second-hand bookshop at the
University of Sydney and cuts to the legal service; the likely
insolvency and closure of the students' association at the
University of Western Sydney; the loss of finance support staff;
and cuts to the student newspaper and to clubs- and society-funding
at the University of Technology, Sydney.

Other possible cuts include to the student computer labs and the
confidential welfare service at the University of Newcastle; and
delays in a students' association being established at Macquarie
and Southern Cross universities.

Mr McFarland said other student bodies were too afraid to come
forward with information because they were worried it would
jeopardise their ability to receive emergency grants and
sponsorship from their universities.

"It's now up to the Government to make a decision and implement
policy before this gets beyond repair," he said.

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Julia Gillard said the
Government was still considering options and an announcement would
be made by the end of the year.

"As promised prior to the last election, the Government has
undertaken an extensive consultation process to assess the impact
of the introduction of VSU by the former Liberal government," she
said.

"The Government has released a summary of the submissions
collected over the past eight months of consultations which clearly
indicate that student services have suffered.

"The Rudd Government is committed to ensuring that university
students have access to vital campus services, including child
care, health care, counselling and sporting facilities."